Cumberland County · Middlesex Township · #3135
Pennsylvania Digital 1 (PAX-1) Phase 3
Middlesex Township, PA · 675,000 sq ft non-residential, data center
About this project
Phase 3 of the 693-acre PAX-1 data center development in Middlesex Township, with a campus of about six buildings totaling roughly 675,000 sq ft.
Official description: PAX-1 IS A 693-ACRE DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENT IN MIDDLESEX TOWNSHIP, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PA, ALONG COUNTRY CLUB RD, BORDERED BY THE CONODOGUINET CREEK AND INTERSTATE 81. THE PROJECT IS COMPRISED OF THREE CAMPUSES, A PPL SUBSTATION, 3 CUSTOMER SUBSTATIONS, A NEW PROPOSED PRIVATE STREET WITH PUBLIC ACCESS ROAD "PA DATA DRIVE" IS PROPOSED. PHASE 3 SPECIFICALLY CONSISTS OF A DATA CENTER CAMPUS CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 6 BUILDING, PRIVATE ACCESS DRIVE, A SECURITY BUILDING, AND ON-SITE WATER AND SEWER STORAGE.
Filing history
- 2025-12-16 · #3135 · Submission · 675,000 sq ft
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
Phase 3 is part of PAX-1, also called Pennsylvania Digital 1. This is a very large data center development on about 693 acres in Middlesex Township. County records describe this phase as a campus of about six buildings totaling roughly 675,000 square feet. Data centers are secure buildings full of computer servers, and they need a great deal of electricity.
News coverage says the whole project is planned as three campuses of six buildings each, with a dedicated power substation. It has been described as a roughly $15 billion investment. The land was previously largely open ground. The reports found do not explain exactly how Phase 3 fits into that layout.
A group called Stop PAX-1 has challenged the zoning in court, and a judge declined to halt construction while a further hearing was scheduled. No tenant was found in the sources.
What it could mean nearby
- Electricity: coverage describes a dedicated on-site substation with very large power capacity.
- Water: a local water authority reportedly committed up to 400,000 gallons per day to the overall project.
- Taxes: supporters project large annual tax revenue for the school district, township and county.
- Community concern: opponents have raised concerns publicly. Traffic and noise details for Phase 3 were not found.
Where it stands
Township supervisors approved subdivision plans for the overall campus in early 2026, and township agendas from August 2026 list Phase 3 and related agreements for action. No result confirmed how those votes turned out, and court challenges are still active. Usually the next steps are land development approval, then building permits and state permits.
- Aug 19, 2026 Township special meeting agenda lists PAX-1 items, including Phase 3 action
- May 2026 Stop PAX-1 filed a zoning challenge, according to local TV coverage
- Jan 2026 Township supervisors reported to have approved subdivision plans for the campus
- Dec 16, 2025 Latest county filing for Phase 3
Who's behind it
Pennsylvania Data Center Partners and PowerHouse Data Centers · News reports name these two companies as the developers; one outlet also names Carlisle Development Partners.
Around the web
- Judge refuses to stop PAX-1 data center but sets new hearingabc27A judge declined to halt construction amid the Stop PAX-1 zoning challenge and set a further hearing for November 13.
- 08-19-2026 Revised Special Meeting agendaMiddlesex Township · Aug 19, 2026Agenda for a township special meeting that, per search listings, includes PAX-1 items.
- Plans approved for 18-building data center in PennsylvaniaWHP580 · Jan 9, 2026Supervisors approved subdivision plans; land development approval was still needed.
- AI boom hits Central PA with $15B projectCentral Penn Business JournalDescribes three six-building campuses, each with a dedicated substation.
Planning terms explained
- Land development plan
- A detailed site plan for buildings, roads, parking and drainage that the township must approve before construction.
- Subdivision
- Dividing a large property into separate lots, which can be done to organize a campus into phases.
- Substation
- A facility that takes high-voltage power from the grid and steps it down for use.
- Stay
- A court order that pauses an action, such as construction, while a legal challenge is decided.
- Community benefits agreement
- A deal in which a developer commits to provide specific benefits to the host community.
Researched by AI from public sources on Nov 1, 2026. It can make mistakes, so check the linked sources and the municipality before relying on it.
How to comment officially
For this project: The Middlesex Township Board of Supervisors decides the local approvals and takes public comment at its meetings, and the Cumberland County court is hearing the zoning challenge.
In Pennsylvania, Middlesex Township decides on this plan, not the county. The county planning commission only reviews it and sends recommendations.
- Speak at the Middlesex Township planning commission or governing body (board of supervisors or council) meeting when the plan is on the agenda. Public comment there goes on the official record.
- Or email or mail a written comment to the Middlesex Township manager or zoning officer, name the plan and its address, and ask that your comment be entered into the record.
Find Middlesex Township's meeting agendas →
Comments on this page are not sent to officials and are not part of the public record.
What neighbors think
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Scope estimate for contractors
Estimated construction value: $472.5M
- ~3,375 roofing squares (assumes 2 stories)
- ~1,687 tons of cooling (rule of thumb 400 sq ft/ton)
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